Security in the Contemporary World

Lesson

Part 1 — what security means, the traditional view, and the non-traditional view.

In this lesson you will

Explain what security means and why the term is kept for grave threats
Explain deterrence, defence, balance of power and alliance building, and internal security
Distinguish disarmament, arms control and confidence building
Explain human security (narrow and broad) and global security

Part 1 at a glance

Concept

What does security mean?

Security is freedom from threats to the core values of a country or people. Only grave threats count.

Table: security means freedom from threats to core values; only grave threats count; the traditional view protects the state while newer views protect people and the planet
Question	Short answer
Security from what?	From threats to core values: survival, territory, a way of life
Which threats count?	Only grave ones that could seriously harm those values
Whose security?	Traditional view: the state. Newer views: people and the planet

Diagram

Three choices in the traditional view

In the traditional view the state is protected, and the gravest threat is military attack.